CutiePie wrote:Thanks for the replies. I've been trying to get someone to make one, but no such luck yet.
It's for my husband, lack of flexibility means he can only manage about a 2 1/2 inch stretch max (even with piper's grip) between the 4th and 6th holes, but it's still quite painful to do that. The Susato with keys looks like you can play it just like a soprano whistle ) which would be perfect...I think I'll just have to buy overseas.
Has your husband considered other low keys, besides low D? As far as comfort and ease of playability goes, I don't think anything out there is better than the carbony whistles. They are extremely light weight and conical, so really quite easy on the hands. The lower keys have the holes drilled at a sort of angle which also reduces the stretch. I always play low whistles with a piper's grip, but I could easily play the carbony low E, or even the low D, without a piper's grip, with no problems.... and with piper's grip, you practically forget the whistle is there. He also has a 30 day trial period where you can return it for a full refund, minus shipping. Something like a low E, F, or G whistle would likely be quite easy on his hands. When I play the G I feel like I'm playing a Bb whistle, to give some idea.
Also, though I'm pretty strict about only playing low whistles with inline holes, I think that if someone has a hand problem that makes it impossible, it would be worth checking with makers to see if they can position some of the holes offset to one side or another, if it would be of any help.
I was only aiming for a Low D because he's relatively new to music and has been learning on a high D. I figured (note wise for reading music) that would be a good transition. I've considered the Low G, which I think he'd get along with fine for finger spacing, it'll be my second choice if I can't find anything with keys.